Simple Little Moments

I used to think cloth diapering would be gross, overwhelming, and tons of work.

Turns out.. I was wrong!

In this post I’ll be giving some insight as to why I made the switch to cloth diapering my second baby (after using disposables for my first son), some reasons you might want to consider cloth diapers, and some tips you may find helpful.

A Little Backstory

When I first became a mom 2.5 years ago, the idea of using cloth diapers seemed like something I wished I could do, but seemed way to difficult or out of reach. I thought they’d be really gross to clean and I imagined the laundry would feel out of control.

My first son was 2 when my second baby was born, and that’s when it really dawned on me how much waste we were accumulating and how much money we were spending on diapers. Newborns use a ton of diapers so it was really apparent to see how often we were needing to empty the diaper pail and go to the store to buy more diapers. As a stay-at-home mom it is especially important to me to save money wherever possible since I don’t bring in an income.

I finally decided to pull the plug on using cloth diapers and literally couldn’t be happier with that decision. At this point, my 2.5 year old is potty trained (woo!) and my 6 month old is exclusively wearing cloth diapers.

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5 Reasons to Use Cloth Diapers

1. They Save You Money

Cloth diapers are a one-time investment that can save you hundreds (even thousands) of dollars over time. Instead of constantly buying disposable packs, you’re reusing what you already have—something that’s both practical and satisfying for a busy household. According to Google, most families spend around $800 to $1,200 per year on disposable diapers—adding up to $2,000 or more by the time their child is potty trained.

The upfront cost can be really expensive for cloth diapers. I’d recommend checking on Facebook Marketplace or another thrifting website to see if you can get diapers/liners secondhand. I was able to get some that way, and got a few additional pairs from my sister-in-law. I thought it would be gross to buy them used, but honestly most people take really good care of them.

2. Gentler on Your Baby’s Skin

Many cloth diapers are made from natural, breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo. Without added fragrances or harsh chemicals, they can help reduce irritation and are often a great option for babies with sensitive skin. Like I mentioned, we used disposable diapers for a bit once my second baby was born, and he experienced diaper rash on a regular basis. Once we started cloth diapering, he almost never gets a rash, and if he does it is never more than a little redness! We’re able to easily stop progression by using a little homemade diaper cream.

3. Better for the Environment

Disposable diapers create a significant amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Cloth diapers offer a reusable alternative, helping you reduce your household’s environmental footprint in a simple, everyday way. I watched a video that claimed diapers take 400 years to decompose. I don’t know if that’s true but it felt like the woman knew what she was talking about!

4. Easy to Use

Modern cloth diapers are designed with convenience in mind—snaps, elastic, and all-in-one styles. Once you get into a routine, washing and reusing them becomes just another natural part of caring for your home. I thought cloth diapering was going to create more work and stress. Although I do need to be conscious of how many diapers are left, we were easily able to slide into a rhythm of washing and prepping the diapers every 2-3 days.

5. Encourages Early Awareness for Potty Training

Because cloth doesn’t wick away moisture the same way disposables do, babies can feel when they’re wet. This awareness can sometimes lead to an easier, more natural transition to potty training down the road. My firstborn was pretty easy to potty train but and we used disposables for his whole diapering experience. I’ll be curious to see how it goes with my second having made the switch to cloth!

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Hacks to Save (More) Money Using Cloth Diapers

Try these hacks to get even more bang for your buck.

1. Purchase your diapers and liners secondhand. I was able to get mine from Facebook Marketplace and saved $100+.
2. Hang up diapers and liners on a clothesline outside on sunny days instead of using a dryer.
3. Purchase reusable wipes instead of buying disposable baby wipes. I bought these ones on Amazon and just dip the cloth in a bowl of warm water before using. Game changer.

One of the best parts about using cloth diapers is that they are an investment, especially if you plan on having multiple children. You can reuse the diapers again and again for years to come.

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How to Wash Cloth Diapers

1. Rinse & Spin: before washing the diapers, you first want to rinse in Cold Water. Place diapers & liners in the washing machine with no detergent and put on a rinse/spin cycle with cold water.
2. Main Wash: after the cold water rinse, add your detergent and put your wash on a hot water, heavy cycle.
3. Dry: tumble dry on low, or hang outside to dry. Hanging outside to dry will help bleach the liners!

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Final Thoughts

If you came to this post wondering if you should take the leap on cloth diapers, I hope this has encouraged you.

I felt intimidated by cloth diapering and truly thought it would add lots of work and stress to my life but it feels totally opposite. In addition to it being a very easy transition, it also feels a lot cleaner and less stinky than disposable diapers. Cloth diapering has saved my family lots of money already and that is a great feeling.

Thanks for reading and I hope you leave feeling excited about cloth diapering!